The November 27 schedule will include 4–8pm evening events traditional for the town: a bonfire, a chili and cornbread supper, the lighting of the town tree, the arrival of Santa, and children’s visits with Santa. Other highlights that first weekend include: carriage rides, a special children’s program at the Community Club, a live Nativity, and a Christmas sing-along at the Methodist Church.

Each weekend will feature unique events related to various aspects of Shepherdstown’s history. In particular, the December 5–6 weekend will recreate a “Civil War Christmas in Shepherdstown,” with Union and Confederate encampments, lectures and panel discussions, children’s activities, period music, and street entertainment. The town will also hold its annual Christmas parade at 11am on Saturday, December 5.

Highlights of the remaining weekends before Christmas will include three performances of the Shepherdstown School of Dance’s annual Nutcracker Ballet during the December 12–13 weekend, Community Caroling, a TUBACHRISTMAS Concert, and a Winter Solstice Concert the weekend of December 19–20.

Every weekend will include children’s activities, holiday marketplaces (selling handmade crafts, baked goods, and greens), and special musical performances.

Many shops will also stay open late on Fridays and Saturdays.

Parking will be free in all of the metered spaces in town on Friday, November 27, and every weekday from December 14 through January 3. (There is always free parking at Shepherdstown’s metered spaces on weekends, as well as in the Shepherd University parking lot at High and Princess streets – one block from downtown.)